As I prepared today’s blog, I wondered what does it take to be a person who is termed a ‘Mover and Shaker’? After ruminating a bit, I determined it takes the confidence to risk, to want to shake up and move an organization, company or community. How does the mover or shaker give direction, get people to buy in to their ideas and generally exude the confidence and conviction that inspires people to follow them as they move and shake?

All my noodling on this issue has brought to mind a few individuals who I believe have moved and shaken things up in their community, company or organization. They did this through their leadership skills, being a role model, sharing a vision and willingness to risk for a greater good. These movers and shakers have demonstrated all of the above qualities; but more importantly, their work fits the five core elements of my mover and shaker formula.

The first mover and shaker had a vision to create a world class school system, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. For 22 years, he and his team of professionals moved and shook the school system until it developed into a reference point for outstanding education across America.

The second example, she took the “bull by the horns,” with colleagues from competing medical centers and with them and a number of business, government, educational and community collaborators made her community a beacon in the world of developing International Relations. At a time in history when the world seems to be coming apart at the seams, her leadership has built lasting relationships between communities in Russia, Eastern Europe and throughout the state of Wisconsin and the USA. Through her leadership, the world has come to small towns while at the same time she’s taken many people across the globe.

My final example of a mover and shaker model is a retired elementary school principal. His career found him touching the lives of children and their families for more than three decades. During and after retirement, his service to others never stopped. His heart and soul are at the core of numerous activities that benefit the greater community and the common good. Like my other two examples, he is a common man who cares about others and the community he calls home. All three have approached life, career and community with passion, commitment and belief in the greater good.

Interestingly all three of these role models of movers and shakers are members of their local Rotary Club. This fact leads me to the Rotarian Motto of “Service Above Self.” I believe that my three exemplars embody this motto. They do care about the community, their fellow citizens, and yes, even the world — the good they do impacts all three. They are servant leaders.

In every one of my coaching quarterly retreats and 1-on-1 sessions the topic of vision, both personal and professional, is emphasized as a key to driving success and balancing life. To be an effective leader, the demand for courage is a constant. Did you know what the word ‘courage’ comes from the French word ‘coeur’, which means heart? It follows then that leaders must have heart-the heart to put forth their vision, to communicate it, no matter how absurd it may sound to others. The leader with courage/heart is up to the challenge to risk defeat against bitter odds. A leader’s courage and heart gives him/her the fortitude and the resilience to put their reputation on the line. In order to give others the confidence to join the courageous journey to achieve and realize their vision, the leader’s courage and heart must be transparent. A leader without heart is a leader without direction, without a plan and ultimately without success.

Take a moment and think: What gives you courage? What supports your vision? What strengthens your heart? Whatever your answers, embrace, nurture and appreciate them. What aspects of your leadership role require the most courage and heart? What, who and how is your vision challenged? When you are challenged, draw upon what nurtures you and the confidence it gives you. Remain courageous and steadfast to achieve your vision for professional success and personal life balance.

Perhaps this blog might best be summed up by the words of Thomas Paine when he wrote, circa 1820, these words,”I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength for distress and grow brave by reflection. Tis the business of little minds to shrink: but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his vision unto the end.”

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